A decade ago firefighter Stephen Hunt rushed to the scene of a huge blaze - he never came back

Flags were flying at half-mast at fire stations in Greater Manchester today to remember a firefighter who lost his life tackling a major blaze 10 years ago.

Stephen Hunt died on July 13, 2013, while fighting a fire at Paul's Hair World in Manchester city centre's Northern Quarter.

The blaze in Oldham Street had been deliberately started by two then 15-year-old girls, and an inquest jury returned a verdict the father-of-two had been 'unlawfully killed'. He was 38 and from Whitefield.

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Mr Hunt, dad to Charlotte and Sam, was among 60 firefighters who were called in to tackle the blaze, which caused major damage to the interior of the building.

Mr Hunt joined the fire service, at Philips Park station with Blue Watch, in 2008.

Jurors at the subsequent inquest found that a lack of communication and information at handovers at the scene contributed to his death, as well as misinterpretation of instructions; a break-down in radio communication; the internal layout of the building; inadequate fire risk assessment, and acts of vandalism and criminal damage.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said flags were flying at half-mast at all fire stations in Greater Manchester.

The service said he was 'dearly missed by all those who knew him'.

The Fire Brigades Union, meanwhile, also remembered him.

In a Tweet, the FBU said: "Today marks ten years since brave firefighter Stephen Hunt made the ultimate sacrifice tackling a fire in Manchester.

"His courage and dedication continue to inspire us every day. We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in the line of duty serving the community he loved. Stephen is missed by